It's been a busy night for volunteers from Herts Boat Rescue, external ...

Image source, Herts Boat Rescue

But it was all in the name of training.

Last night's exercise saw the team taking to the water just to make sure their skills are up to scratch when it comes to the real thing.

The volunteers have been running the charity since 1996, and the overnight exercise saw them working with Hertfordshire's Fire and Rescue Service in a simulated water rescue where multiple "casualties" were lost in cold and dark conditions.

Elizabeth Rizzini
BBC Look East weather

After a chilly and cloudy start, it will gradually turn brighter with some sunny spells.

There's a chance of a few light showers, but the day will be mostly dry.

Temperatures reaching 9C (48F).

Good morning and welcome back to live updates of news, weather, travel and sport for Beds, Herts and Bucks.

We'll be here until 18:00 but as it's a blustery old start to the morning, a full weather forecast will be with you shortly.

In today's news, with the police watchdog giving Bedfordshire the lowest rating of all the country's 43 police forces, we'll be taking a look at why, and getting reaction to that.

And another police story we're expecting to cover is the trial of a 16-year-old boy charged with stabbing a Hertfordshire officer and his dog, Finn, both of whom were injured in the line of duty. More on this later.

As always you can get in touch and let us know what you're doing today by  email ,  Facebook, external  or  Twitter, external .

Oxford United will face Coventry City in the EFL Trophy final following a thrilling win at Luton Town.

Alex Pope
BBC Local Live

That's it from all of us here today with our regular updates for Beds, Herts and Bucks. 

We'll be back from 08:00 on Thursday with more news, sport, travel and weather. 

But before we go, we'll leave you with a clip that has questioned the Buckingham MP and Commons Speaker John Bercow's bathroom routine. 

Conservative MP Rebecca Pow was speaking about microbeads in cosmetics during PMQs, but began by suggesting that Mr Bercow probably "took a shower this morning".

Theresa May said she did not know the answer to that particular question, prompting Mr Bercow to say his wife, Sally, and Mrs May's husband Philip would be "very reassured" about that.  

Julie Reinger
BBC Look East weather

Tonight there'll be outbreaks of rain, heavy at times, but becoming largely dry in the south.

The winds are expected to eventually increase, possibly gusting 40-50mph.

That means it'll be a windy start to Thursday with rain or showers for a time in the north of the region.

By the afternoon, everywhere should be fine and dry with long sunny spells, and the winds should have eased.

Highest temperatures of 10C (50F).

For more, head to BBC Weather .

Alex Pope
BBC Local Live

A Bedford dance school is hoping it'll help England be crowned Dance World Cup , external champions for the fifth year running. 

Last year a team from Sandford School of Dance, external competed in the cup in Jersey, and it's made the grade again this year. 

Image source, Sian Sandford

In total 30 pupils will travel to Germany in June taking part in three dances, including a modern dance in tribute to the victims of the Aberfan disaster in Wales .

The school is now looking for sponsors to help fund the trip. 

Geoff Doyle
BBC Three Counties Radio sport

Luton Town defender Johnny Mullins has called on Hatters fans to be their 12th man tonight as they bid for a place at Wembley. 

Luton host Oxford in the semi-final of the Football League Trophy. 

The winners will face Coventry on 2 April. 

"I'm sure it will be a really good atmosphere," said Mullins, who used to play for Oxford. 

"If we can really get the place rocking perhaps they can be our 12th man."

Image source, Getty Images

Alex Pope
BBC Local Live

Four teachers from Castle Newnham School in Bedford have been awarded commendations for saving a four-year-old's life. 

Their bravery was recognised by East of England paramedics after they managed to stop the boy from choking on his food while he ate lunch. 

In January, Rachel Mellor, Jo Kearney, Ide Diallo and Julia Smith (from left to right) "swooped into action", called 999 and after getting help from call hander, Hugo Brice, they dislodged the piece of food. 

Image source, East of England Ambulance Service

The reception pupil was taken to hospital, but has now made a full recovery. 

Mrs Smith said: "It's lovely to be recognised for what we did, but all that matters is that the young boy is alive now."

Relive Saturday's Premiership action as Wasps beat Bath to extend their lead at the top and Harlequins overcome Gloucester.

Alex Pope
BBC Local Live

Curiosity nearly got the better of a cat after she was discovered in the eaves of a roof.

Sparrow had been missing from her home in Chorleywood for four days and was finally found when the neighbours heard meowing. 

Image source, RSPCA

So what do you do if you have a scaredy-cat cowering in the corner? Try and find a mouse, or entice her out by waving tuna under her nose? 

It's the latter RSPCA animal collection officer Kate Wright chose, and luckily it worked. 

Image source, RSPCA

"When you work for the RSPCA, one day you'll be catching swans or handling snakes - and another day you'll be lying on your front in a tight space trying to bring a cat to safety," she said.

Katy Lewis
BBC Local Live

The West Herts Hospitals chairman says he is "delighted with the overall results" of a Care Quality Commission report, external , even though it says it still "requires improvement".

Prof Steve Barnett pointed to the fact it had moved up from the lowest rating of "inadequate" in 2015.

He added there were a number of areas at the three hospitals it runs that were now rated "good" and the number of poor ratings had also fallen.

"I am delighted with the overall results and even prouder of our staff who continue to drive up the quality of patient care with such great commitment," he said.

"The inspection in September was just one step in our journey to raise our standards higher still.

"Nearly seven months have passed and if the CQC visited us now, I'm confident they would see many more improvements resulting in an even better set of ratings."

Carol Abercrombie
BBC Three Counties Radio

The hospital trust that includes Watford, Hemel Hempstead and St Albans hospitals is still failing, according to the latest inspection report.

Image source, West Hertfordshire Hospitals NHS Trust

It follows a visit by the Care Quality Commission (CQC), which says the West Herts Hospitals NHS Trust must remain in special measures.

The CQC report into the trust, external says it still "requires improvement".

The inspector said some progress had been made since it was first put into special measures in September 2015, but not enough had been achieved.

The areas where work is still needed include emergency care at the three hospitals, which is described as "inadequate".

Alex Pope
BBC Local Live

Earlier we reported police would be in Marlow today reminding drivers with a vehicle that's more than three tonnes that it cannot cross the historic bridge. 

Well... they have been true to their word, as this tweet shows. 

It comes after a lorry caused significant damage to the structure last year when it tried to cross, leading to it being shut for a number of months.

Jane Killick
BBC Three Counties Radio

A police officer based in Milton Keynes has been dismissed from his force after being caught possessing indecent images of children.

PC Leigh Morris admitted five sex offences at Luton Magistrates' Court in February. 

Thames Valley Police said he had committed "gross misconduct", which brought "discredit on the police and undermines the public confidence in the police service".

Arsonist Joshua Bozier (pictured) created a "mindless and fruitless crime" when his actions led to a listed Hertfordshire building being destroyed, including its £3.5m thatched roof.

Image source, Hertfordshire Police

Hertfordshire Police said the blaze in Codicote in 2015 caused the owner of the building "extensive loss of revenue and inconvenience, as the local businesses based within the building had to relocate".  

"We are lucky that no-one else was in the building at the time the fire started," said Det Insp David Quinn.

Image source, South Beds News Agency

Describing the case as "incredibly complex", Det Insp Lynda Coates said: "My officers initially had very little to go on. 

"Bit by bit, they pieced together the circumstances of the crime, which led to identifying Bozier and ultimately his arrest, charge and conviction for this senseless crime.

Image source, South Beds News AgencySouth Beds News Agency

"We are pleased about the outcome of the sentencing and hope it serves as a warning to anyone considering doing something so stupid and reckless in the future," she added. 

Image source, South Beds News Agency

A man has been jailed for causing  "one of the most costly arsons the country has known" , according to police.

Image source, Hertfordshire Police

Joshua Bozier, 24, of Dalton Way, Hitchin, was jailed for three years, four months after a Grade II-listed building with a £3.5m thatched roof was set alight in Codicote, Herts, in July 2015.

Image source, Hertfordshire Fire Service

More than 15 fire engines and support vehicles were called to tackle the blaze on Node Court.

Image source, South Beds News Agency

Police said Bozier, of Dalton Way, Hitchin, smashed the rear window of an Audi A3 parked next to the building, which houses a number of businesses, and set it alight. 

Image source, South Beds News Agency

The flames then spread to the thatched roof, completely destroying it and severely damaging the property.

He admitted arson at Cambridge Crown Court.

BBC Weather Watchers

Today is the meteorological start to spring, so that can mean only one thing... some gorgeous photos of the signs of spring from the BBC Weather Watchers . 

BBC Travel

After an earlier accident involving three cars, on the A421 westbound at junction 13 of the M1, has now reopened. 

The damage to the listed building was said to be "one of the most costly" in the UK.